Local gun enthusiast clarifies issue of weapons ownership

Published: August 27, 2003 8:00 PM

A local gun enthusiast is warning other gun owners to be cautious of news reports in the wake of a Caldwell mans arrest, as the release of information regarding such weapons at the Tec-9 and Uzi may be misleading.

Both of those guns were sold commercially, and it is not illegal to simply own one of them, even today, if you have filed the proper paperwork with the ATF, said Dave Scurlock, of County Coins & Collectibles.

The issue of firearms is a very touchy issue, but these weapons are not illegal to own if they are not stolen or altered. It is not even illegal to own a fully automatic weapon, if you have the proper paperwork. But, if you have a stolen gun, or you alter a gun or serial number, or buy a semi-automatic weapon and make it fully automatic, it is wrong.

Caldwell police reportedly recovered 34 weapons ranging from shotguns to high-powered rifles to handguns to two Tec-9 weapons from the Main Street apartment of Tom Hill, 39.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification is expected to test the weapons to determine if any have been silenced or converted to fully automatic.

[Article continues below]

Scurlock also pointed out the difference between the Tec-9 and Uzi, which were mistakenly identified as one gun in arrest accounts appearing in The Daily Jeffersonian.

The Uzi was made in Israel as a battle weapon, but it was still sold commercially in the United States, said Scurlock. The Tec-9 was manufactured with a military-style design, but it was never used by the military. The two guns are similar, but they are not the same. It is not illegal to own either gun.

Scurlock refutes reports that the Tec-9 was not designed for pleasure or target use by its Miami-based manufacturer.

The Tec-9 was manufactured originally with a threaded muzzle and high capacity magazine capable of holding up to 30 rounds, but it was designed for fun, he said. It is an inexpensive piece and I used to own one. It is a gun you can take to the range and have fun shooting.

They did change the barrel from threaded to non-threaded after the ban in 1989, which was a result of a change in federal regulations. The threads made it easier to install a silencer, but it is not illegal to own one with a threaded barrel if it was sold prior to the ban. It is also not illegal to own a silenced weapon ... if you have filed the proper paperwork with the ATF, said Scurlock.

The Tec-9 was manufactured from 1985 until 2000.

Scurlock said the misinformation is often the result of a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge by the media.

The term cop killer referring to Teflon-coated rounds is wrong, said Scurlock. The manufacturer never intended for the rounds to be used to kill cops. They were designed for the military to shoot through armor and armor-plated vehicles. They were designed to kill, but not cops. The media took the information and made them cop killers.

Scurlock said he is afraid that the owners of legal guns that are perceived to be illegal due to news reports, will attempt to dispose of the weapons.